A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Aondoakaa Yaiyol, was shot dead by gunmen on Friday night in what authorities have described as a targeted assassination.
Until his death, Yaiyol served as the Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Tarka.
The attack occurred less than a year after his wife was also killed in a similar incident, during which their home was reportedly set ablaze.
Confirming the incident on Saturday, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Benue, Mr. Tim Nyior, said the party was deeply saddened by the loss.
“It’s true that the man was once PDP chairman in Tarka LGA before taking on the role of NHFSS commander,” Nyior stated during a telephone conversation. “Unfortunately, his wife was also brutally murdered just last year. This is a tragic continuation of targeted violence against him and his family.”
The Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Chief Joseph Har, described the incident as a clear case of assassination.
“They came on a motorcycle and shot him at close range,” Har explained.
“After the initial attack, the assailants fired shots into the air to scare bystanders and fled. They were aided by two vehicles whose occupants also fired shots to facilitate their escape.”
According to Har, preliminary investigations suggest that the murder may be linked to a long-standing conflict involving a criminal who had earlier attacked Yaiyol’s family.
“Information available indicates that the same individual who attacked and killed Yaiyol’s wife had been sent to prison, but upon his return, the two men had been pursuing each other until this latest development,” he said.
Police authorities have confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
Speaking on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said: “The killing of Mr. Aondoakaa Yaiyol has been confirmed. Immediately we received the report, a team of officers was deployed to pursue the suspect. He was trailed to a hideout but managed to escape before our officers arrived.”
Edet assured the public that law enforcement would not rest until the perpetrator is brought to justice. “We are intensifying our efforts and remain confident that the suspect will be arrested soon,” he said.
